Binder.



No; 731,270. PATBNTEI) JUNE 16, 1903.

J-, BERMAN. BINDER- APPLICATION FILED DEC. 16, 1902.

N0 MODEL. r 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

vvuowtoz- No. 731,270 PATENTED JUNE 16, 1903.

J. BERMAN.

BINDER.

APPLIOATIO N FILED DEC. 16, 1902.

V J N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

iatented June 16, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN HERMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BINDER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 731,270, dated June 16, 1903. Application filed December 16, 1902. Serial No. 135,402. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern: Be it known that I, JOHN HERMAN, a oitize of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Binders; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact descri ption of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the figu res of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to binders, and particularly to that class thereof used to form loose-leaf books, so called, in which leaves may be put or from which they may be taken, as desired.

The object of the invention is to forman improved expansible binder of the kind stated, which may be adjusted to hold more or less leaves.

A further obj eot is to form an improved construction whereby the leaves will lie flat and ment-s will appear from the following descripor upper back joined thereto.

tion and the drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a plan view of the binder or book open, part of the covers being broken away and all the leaves being removed. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the back of the book expanded to take additional leaves. Fig. 3 is an elevation, partly in section, of the binder with leaves therein. Fig. at is a similar view with the back expanded to accommodate additional leaves.

Referring specifically to the drawings, 6 indicates the covers of the book, and 7 the inner This back is split longitudinally, as shown, so that it may be pulled apart, as shown in Figs. 2 and 4, to accommodate additional leaves. To each part or half of this back a longitudinally-extending hinge is attached. This hinge is preferably formed of sheet metal and comprises a lying leaf 8, secured to the back, as by screws 8. The standing leaf of the hinge is formed of two parts 9 and 9, hinged together at 9 so that the whole hinge is a double or three-leaf hinge with opposite flection at the two joints.

The posts to hold the leaves are attached to the upper or outer leaves 9 of the hinges, extending across between the same,.as shown. These posts consist of close-wound spiral springs (indicated at 10) covered by rubber tubing 11 and joined to the hinges by screws 12. In consequence of this construction the posts are flexible and extensible. The leaves of the book are indicated at 13 and have suitable holes to receive the posts. They may be removed or inserted by taking out the screws 12 on one side, which will free the corresponding ends of the posts and allow the leaves of the book to he slipped thereon or taken 01f, after which the screws are put back.

It will be seen that when the book is open the hinge on either or both sides may be flexed or collapsed,which has the effect of bending the posts to form a semicircle or curve which allows the leaves to lie flat on the cover.

To conceal the opening made when the parts 7 of the inner back are separated, a sub or outer back 14 is employed. This is formed of one piece of-wood or other suitable material, preferably covered with leather, and is connected to the inner back by means of toggles 15 and strips 16. The arms of the toggles are joined at their ends to the under side of the parts 7 and at their elbows to the strips 16, which overlie each other and slide longitudinally within strap-loops 17 attached to the outer back 14. The toggles bend according to the expansion or contraction of the parts 7, and the rigidity of the strips 16, which connect the toggles in pairs, causes the expansion or contraction to be equal at both ends of the book, so that the parts willnot become wedged or uneven.

At 18 is indicated a guide-pin or dowel which projects from one of the parts 7 and enters a hole formed in the opposite part to receive it. This dowel preserves the alinement of said parts 7. Springs 19 .tend to draw said parts together and prevent excess-- ive separation or expansion. The back side parts. This is an important advantage in binders of this kind and is essential to the production of a binder in which the leaves will lie flat when opened. Furthermore, the back does not have to be taken apart to put in or take out leaves. The rubber covering for the spring-posts prevents the leaves from getting in between coils of the spring.

Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a binder, the combination with a back and covers opening flat therewith, of flexible leaf-posts joined thereto.

2. In a binder, the combination with a split, separable back, and covers opening flat therewith, of flexible leaf-posts joined tothe back.

3. In a binder, the combination with an expansible back, and covers opening flat therewith, of flexible and extensible leaf posts joined to the back.

4. In a binder, the combination with a back and covers, of flexible leaf-posts, and hinges having a double fold, connecting the posts to the back, substantially as described.

5. In a binder, the combination with an expansible back and covers, of flexible and extensible leaf-posts, and hinges having a double fold, connecting the posts to the back, substantially as described.

6. In a binder, the combination with a back, and covers opening flat therewith, of flexible leaf-posts, and hinges connecting the posts and the back.

7. In a binder, the combination with separable back parts,and a cover connected to each part and opening flat therewith, of flexible and extensible leaf-posts connected to each of said parts.

8. In a binder, the combination with a split inner back, and covers attached thereto, of an outer back covering the split, toggles connecting the outer back and the parts of the inner back, permitting relative movement thereof and a strip connecting the toggles, causing equal motion thereof.

In a binder, the combination with a back, and covers connected thereto, of flexible leafposts, and hinges connecting both ends of the posts and the back and capable of fiection to bend the posts to substantially a semicircle having its ends perpendicular to the back, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN HERMAN.

\Vitnesses:

WV. J. ROBINSON, H. G. BATCHELOR. 

